Written by

Detroit Free Press staff

Debbie Dingell, wife of U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, who many had speculated as a possible candidate for the seat being vacated by Sen. Carl Levin when he retires next year, announced today that she will not run.

Debbie Dingell thanked those who sought her candidacy, but encouraged her fellow Democrats to unite behind one candidate - she specifically mentioned U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, seen as a potential frontrunner from the nomination - to keep the seat in the hands of the Dems.

In a statement released today, Dingell said "there may be a time when elective office is the right choice" for her, "but this was not it."

Potential Republican candidates include U.S. Reps. Mike Rogers and Justin Amash, former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land and ex-state party chairman Saul Anuzis.

Levin announced last month that he won't seek re-election in 2014. The Senate Armed Services Committee chairman first was elected to the Senate in 1978.

Debbie Dingell Statement on Potential Senate Run in 2014

I hadn't planned to spend much time this year thinking about running for the Senate. I'd planned to spend my time working hard to reelect Carl Levin, as well as good Democrats up and down the ticket, including, needless to say, John Dingell.

When Carl Levin announced he would not seek reelection, those plans changed. Close friends, complete strangers, political allies and business colleagues encouraged me to take a long, hard look at running for the Senate myself - and that's what I have done.

I love my state, and the people who make up the fabric of our communities. I've lived here my whole life, my roots are here; I am a Michigan girl born and bred……and I can tell you this: we can work through these tough times to a much better future. We don't back down, we don't quit, and we don't give up, no matter how many times we get knocked down. Standing up for our communities and for our families is how I define the job of representing Michigan in Washington, and it's a job I know I would be honored to have. It's also no secret that I think we need more women in the Senate and in the House, and there was an attraction to potentially being the junior member of an All-Debbie Senate delegation.

But I think it is critical that Democrats unite behind one candidate for what will be a difficult and expensive race, and it's one of the reasons I have concluded that now is not the time for me to run for the United States Senate. We have good candidates like Gary Peters considering running, and a primary would be divisive at a time that cries out for unity. As someone who has spent much of my career working to bring people together, it just didn't feel right to take this step now. There may be a time when elective office is the right choice for me, but this was not it.

I want to thank everyone for the encouragement, for the support, and for the friendship that I've experienced during this brief, but intense time. I look forward to working with all of you, side by side, to elect Democrats in 2014.